Hormuz tanker incidents fuel concerns as oil prices settle below $96.
The Middle East conflict remained volatile on Saturday morning, following reports of Iranian drone activity near Bahrain, fresh Houthi threats against Saudi Arabia and alleged tanker explosions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, oil prices registered another weekly decline, even as regional aviation and shipping continued to face disruption.
1. US intercepts Iranian drones heading towards Bahrain
The US military said it intercepted two Iranian attack drones heading towards Bahrain on Friday, rejecting Tehran’s claim that its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had destroyed an American early-warning radar installation.
US Central Command said both drones were shot down without causing injuries or damage.
Separately, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said further military action against Iran was unnecessary, arguing that economic pressure was already weakening Tehran.
The developments highlight the fragile security situation across the Gulf, despite efforts to prevent a return to large-scale fighting.
2. Houthis claim fresh missile attacks on Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement said on Friday it had fired two ballistic missiles towards Saudi forces in Al-Tuwal, in Jazan province.
Reuters reported that Saudi Civil Defence had earlier issued an all-clear for the region. It remained unclear whether the Houthi claims were linked to those warnings.
The group also claimed to have targeted Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport and a pumping station along Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline.
Saudi authorities had not confirmed those claims.
The pipeline is strategically important because it allows Saudi Arabia to transport around four million barrels of crude oil a day to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
Fighting in Yemen is also raising concerns over the security of Bab Al Mandab, another strategic maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
3. Iran says two tankers struck mines in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said on Friday that two oil tankers exploded and caught fire after hitting sea mines while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state television, citing the military, reported that the vessels had been travelling without coordinating their passage with Tehran, according to Reuters.
The claims have not been independently verified, and Iranian authorities have provided no further details.
Separately, the International Maritime Organization reported that around 134 maritime security incidents had occurred across the wider Middle East since February, leaving 25 seafarers dead.
For UAE businesses, continued insecurity in the region could affect shipping insurance premiums, freight charges and delivery schedules.
4. UAE-Saudi flight cancellations continue
Etihad Airways’ latest official travel advisory says passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and Dammam remain cancelled until November 19.
However, selected services between Abu Dhabi and Jeddah resumed on November 6, offering an alternative for residents travelling for Umrah.
Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia have also faced disruptions affecting selected destinations in Saudi Arabia.
Passengers are advised to check their flight status directly with their airlines before heading to the airport, particularly if they have onward connections.
5. Oil settles below $96 as markets weigh supply risks
Brent crude settled at $95.84 a barrel on Friday, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) closed at $88.56, Reuters reported.
Both benchmarks fell by around 2.5 per cent over the week as investors weighed signs of improving global oil supplies against continuing security risks in the Middle East.
The International Energy Agency’s latest assessment pointed to a growing global oil surplus, helping ease concerns about potential supply shortages.
For UAE residents, lower crude prices could eventually help ease some transport and logistics costs, although domestic petrol prices are reviewed and adjusted monthly.
Residents should continue to monitor official government guidance, airline notifications and maritime security updates as the regional situation develops.
